Fuji
Apple

The Fuji apple is a Red Delicious
apple and Ralls Genet apple hybrid developed by
growers at the Tohoku Research Station in Fujisaki,
Aomori, Japan, in the late 1930s, and brought to
market in 1962. It originated as a cross between
two American apple varieties, the Red Delicious
and old Virginia Ralls Genet (sometimes cited as
"Rawls Jennet") apples.

It is named after "Fujisaki," Aomori Prefecture,
but often mistakenly thought to be named after Mount
Fuji

Fuji apples are typically large or very large and
round, on average 75mm in diameter. They contain
between 9-11% sugars by weight and have a dense
flesh that is sweeter and crisper than many other
apple varieties, making them popular with consumers
around the world. Fuji apples also have a very long
shelf life compared to other apples, even without
refrigeration. With refrigeration, Fuji apples can
remain fresh for up to a year.

In Japan, Fuji apples continue to be an unrivaled
best-seller. Japanese consumers prefer the crispy
texture and sweetness of Fuji apples (which is somewhat
reminiscent of the coveted Nashi Pear) almost to
the exclusion of other varieties and Japan's apple
imports remain low. Aomori Prefecture is perhaps
the best known apple growing region of Japan. Of
the roughly 900,000 tons of Japanese apples produced
annually, 500,000 tons come from Aomori.

Outside of Japan the popularity of Fuji apples continues
to grow. Fuji apples account for 80% of China's
20 million tons grown annually. Since their introduction
into the U.S. market in the 1980s, Fuji apples have
gained popularity with American consumers as well:
a stranger to American supermarket shelves only
30 years ago, Fuji apples ranked at number 4 in
2003 on the US Apple Association's list of most
popular apples, after Red Delicious, Golden Delicious,
and Gala. Fuji apples are now grown in traditional
apple-growing states such as Washington, New York,
and California as demand shifts in both the domestic
and foreign markets toward Fuji apples. Washington,
the grower of more than half of America's apple
crop, produces about 135,000 tons of Fuji apples
each year, with only Red Delicious and Golden Delicious
outweighing Fuji.

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